Corruption of Sheriff, of Police and Fire Chiefs the Rule, NOT the Exception in Sonoma County

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office are themselves under investigation for their complicity in the abuse of prisioners in a lawsuit filed in US District Court naming Sheriff Steve Freitas and members of the Detention Division.

Under Sheriff Freitas' watch, the pressing need for better oversight of the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department came glaringly into focus. Case in point: The out of control Sonoma County Sheriff's Deputy who callously gunned downa hispanic teenager with a toy gun without so much as a warning shot.

He needs to be held accountable for murdering a teenager. Just because he's a police officer, doesn't give him the right to kill. He is governed by same laws, last I understood.

Would Andy Gomes be alive today if he was a white teenager instead of Hispanic, yes.

Sonoma County Gazette April 15, 2015: Local journalist
Zoe Tummillo reports, "It is true that there is an abuse of
power."

Sonoma County Sheriff Steve Freitas for instance,
hypothetically speaking of course, from his position atop Sonoma County
Sheriff's Department, he could easily routinely cover up murder and "who's
to know?"

Now isn't that a service that organized crime wouldst
covet? To add to his value, Freitas can also offer, in his duel role as the
County Sheriff and the County Coroner, to bury any case that his organized
crime bosses desire.

Reasoning of organized crime: If you can corrupt one police chief then you control the whole police department. More bang for the organized crime buck. Men like Sheriff Freitas --above reproach-- are the ideal candidates as covers for organized crime's activities in Sonoma County.

A misplaced siren here, a threatening comment there to
targets designated by those doing the bribing. Oh does that say bribing,
scratch that and put, "Great price on that new car, vacation, home loan,
donation to the Sheriff's reelection fund…"

Unless and until Sheriffs on the take like Sheriff Freitas come forward and not only admit their perfidy in accepting ongoing cleverly disguised financial support from organized crime. But also identify all those involved in that process for criminal charges. That is how long the systemic subversion of Sonoma County law enforcement and other public services --such as the fire department-- by organized crime will continue unabated.

A long held dirty secret is the Ku Klux Klan-like Police
subculture that rewards officers with cash and other brownie pointswho kill
blacks, harm gays and other minorities. Fueled by the passions of
the upper echelons of organized crime.

Hence the strikingly common police practice of killing
blacks --or other targets of their racial disapproval such as Andy Gomes-- who
resist arrest --or not-- or for any other convenient reason that sounds
plausible, like PTSD.

Respectable salaries all for Sheriff Freitas. But given the cost of living in California and putting two sons through school, it's easier to understand why the Sheriff regularly accepts payments of cash, vacations and other financial considerations --some of which are filtered down to the rank and file-- from organized crime to better help make ends meet.

Not everyone in the community was convinced of the sincerity of the regret expressed by the Sonoma County Sheriff about the senseless gunning down of a youth by his deputy...

Sheriff Steve Freitas is pleased to announce that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is going to conduct an independent investigation into last Tuesday's shooting that took place on Moorland Avenue in Santa Rosa.

After shooting and killing Andy Lopez, Deputy Gelhaus emphasized to investigators the high level of fear he experienced – causing him to shoot when shooting was unnecessary. By his own admission, Deputy Gelhaus is a PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD who could, in a moment of fear, kill again! Darren Wilson, the officer who killed Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO, indicated in his resignation letter that he saw his own presence on the Ferguson police force as a danger to the community and to his fellow police officers. Deputy Gelhaus' presence on the streets of Sonoma County presents a similar danger.

Sheriff Steve Freitas should learn from Darren Wilson. He should recognize that it would be better for everyone if Deputy Erick Gelhaus was taken off the street.

Most Popular Latest

brenda olguin ROHNERT PARK, CA 10 months ago Liked 4

He killed a 13 year old

Ana Calles SANTA ROSA, CA 10 months ago Liked 4

i'm signing because I want this man off of our streets where he proves to be dangerous. We the people need to step up and use our voices to demand justice!

Eulalio Pena SANTA ROSA, CA 10 months ago Liked 4

He needs to be held accountable for murdering a teenager. Just because he's a police officer, doesn't give him the right to kill. He is governed by same laws, last I understood.

Marlina Young SANTA ROSA, CA 10 months ago Liked 4

That murder needs to be fired nd put in jail .. Rest.In.Peace Andy Lopez! &Everyone who has passed away from these untrained durty cops we have to trust in..

Eliseo Avalos SANTA ROSA, CA 10 months ago Liked 3

I want justice and trigger happy cops out of our streets!

Richard Shuman WINDSOR, CA 10 months ago Liked 1

I've seen his demeanor while on duty, heard enough about his complaints by citizens, told of his mishaps as a trainer and now the shooting of a 13 yr old boy. The Sonoma County Sheriff's department is full of trigger happy, excited, over zealous deputies who abuse there authority. They are backed by the District Attorney's Office which has always ruled in favor of the deputies in all shootings calling them "Good Shoots"

Mark Campbell HOLLAND, MI 10 months ago Liked 1

Every one should be held accountable for there actions.

Susan Weaver HEMET, CA 10 months ago Liked 1

Susan Weaver

Sylvia Bracamonte ALBANY, CA 10 months ago Liked 1

I believe in justice and equality. We cannot continue to grant impunity to cops who terrorize our communities and kill our youth. It is time for change!

Patricia DeSantis YUBA CITY, CA 10 months ago Liked 1

I was unable to demand justice when my husband was killed in Santa Rosa, I will not remain silent as law enforcement takes down our young people as wel